About Sharon: I started my genealogy project in earnest in 1996 after my sister Susan and I came back from a trip to England. At that time I knew that my grandmother’s father was from England, but I did not know exactly where. I thought it would be neat to see the place he was born. The problem was, I did not know where in London Richard Clark Rout had been born! That was the moment that I decided to actively continue my research. When we returned home I found that we had been within a mile of Richard’s birthplace. The next time I went to England I headed straight for the area he was born. Now I was totally hooked! My research led me to meet several cousins whom my mother had known as a child, one of these being Janyce Woody Lindgren in Colorado. Jan had started a business called “Life’s Reflections” after her mother became ill. Jan realized that her mother would be gone soon, and there were personal and family stories that she had never heard. She decided to tape her mother to get some of these stories before it was too late. Now she has a wonderful recording of her mother’s voice, and a verbal record of family stories that she may never have otherwise heard!
Don’t lose those precious family tales! They are interesting and fun and even the family legends that cannot be proved or disproved are fun to listen to. For Instance, our family legend is that my great-great grandfather Rout “sailed the seven seas.” I can find no record of this, but it is fun and romantic to envision this trip!
Do you want to record a loved one, but don't want to wait for an available time? Go to Life's Reflections to order Jan Lindgren's home recording kit. Each kit comes with three 90 minute tapes and a booklet to guide you through the interview process. She also offers kits for children's interviews at http://www.kidviewz.com.
